ENORMOUS POSSIBILITIES For the first time, scientists have revealed the chemical structure of one of the key markers of Alzheimer’s disease, capturing high-resolution images of the abnormal tau protein deposits suspected to be behind Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. The results will now give scientists an unprecedented glimpse at how these harmful deposits function at a molecular level,...
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3 Keytruda studies put on clinical hold after deaths
Dive Brief: The Food and Drug Administration has placed three combination trials of Merck’s flagship immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) on clinical hold after a review of the studies found more deaths had occurred in the treatment arms. Merck had previously paused enrollment in two of the trials after initial reports of patient deaths. The three studies now on...
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Transplantation of Human Pancreatic Endoderm Cells Reverses Diabetes Post Transplantation in a Prevascularized Subcutaneous Site
Highlights hESC-derived PECs in a prevascularized device-less site routinely reverse diabetes Device-less PEC grafts functioned better than fat pad and subcutaneous PEC grafts Human C-peptide secretion was glucose regulated in device-less PEC grafts Safely retrieved grafts stained positive for insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin Summary Beta-cell replacement therapy is an effective means to restore glucose homeostasis...
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Scientists link new cancer treatments to cardiovascular alterations
Plk1 inhibitors have recently been acknowledged as an innovative therapy for leukaemia by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, a study published in Nature Medicine by researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) suggests that prolonged use of these inhibitors can not only lead to hypertension issues but also to the rupturing of...
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Over-the-counter lipoic acid may slow the progression of multiple sclerosis, study finds
Lipoic acid reduced brain shrinkage in patients with secondary progressive MS Compared to a placebo, it improved atrophy by 68% Portland researchers found In comparison, FDA-approved drug ocrelizumab showed reduction of just 18% People with SPMS don’t recover from relapses and see a worsening of disability There’s no known cure for this or any type of...
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Repurposed Asthma Drug Shows Blood Sugar Improvement among Some Diabetics
fter 12 weeks of taking an anti-asthma drug, a subset of patients with type 2 diabetes showed a clinically significant reduction in blood glucose during a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, report University of California San Diego School of Medicine and University of Michigan researchers. Alan Saltiel, PhD, director of the Institute for Diabetes...
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FDA Approves First Sickle Cell Drug in 20 Years
A scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a sickle cell red blood cell found in a blood specimen of an 18 year old female patient. The FDA approved a new medicine Friday to reduce the complications associated with sickle cell disease, a rare blood disorder. The drug, Endari, is made by privately held Emmaus Medical...
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Binge-eating is a brain disorder which could be targeted with an anti-obesity pill, scientists claim
Immune cells that cause people to gorge on high-fat foods have been identified When mice were given an experimental drug to reduce the cells they ate 15% less Similar drug is in clinical trials that may help stop humans piling on the pounds Binge-eating is a brain disorder which could be targeted with an anti-obesity...
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10 Years of GWAS Discovery: Biology, Function, and Translation
Main Text Introduction Here, we review the remarkable range of discoveries that genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have facilitated in population and complex-trait genetics, the biology of diseases, and translation toward new therapeutics. In the introductory sections, we provide a background for this review, summarize its scope and layout, and revisit the scientific rationale for GWASs....
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Researchers Refute Study That Claims CRISPR Causes Unexpected Mutations
IN BRIEF A study published earlier this year warned scientists of potential complications with CRISPR/Cas9, but after review by researchers at another institution, the findings of that study are being brought into question. It remains to be seen whether the original study will be corrected or retracted, but this development highlights the importance of peer...